Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), has been applied to a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions for the past ten years.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
It is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment that uses sound waves that interact with the body tissues. This allows the breakdown of scar tissue and calcium deposits and promotes the body's natural healing process by forming new blood vessels and improving blood flow to the area.
Shockwave therapy can treat pain caused by an illness or persistent injuries as it aims to trigger the body’s natural healing response. Many people see improvements in mobility and reduced pain after their first treatment.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
During shockwave therapy, high-energy radial pressure waves (RPWs) are sent to the site of chronic pain. This increases metabolization at the cellular level and increase and stimulate muscle repair and regeneration.
Shockwave therapy treatment is suitable for people who have chronic tendinitis (for more than six weeks) that have not responded to other treatments for a long time. Before the therapy starts, the physiotherapist will assess you on the first visit. This includes looking at your medical history, lifestyle habits, and current symptoms.
Although the treatment can cause a little discomfort, it only lasts for 5 minutes or less, and the intensity of the shockwave can be adjusted as per the patient's comfort level. It’s important to take any anti-inflammatory medication after the treatment as it may slow down the healing process.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy benefits include:
1. Quick sessions
You will need to see the physiotherapist 2-4 times a week apart for shockwave therapy physio for effective long-term pain reduction. All sessions last for almost 20 minutes. The actual shockwave application is 5 min or less
2. Limited side effects
Unlike other surgery options, shockwave therapy carries a much lower risk of side effects. There may be side effects like mild swelling or bruising and tolerable pain for a few hours after initial treatment in very rare cases.
3. Fast recovery
Shockwave therapy enables the alleviation of pain and restoration of mobility after the first session. Generally, the recovery periods are substantially shorter than surgery.
What to Expect After a Shockwave Therapy Session
Typically, our patients will see improved mobility and reduced pain in a couple of days. You may experience some soreness hours after treatment, but it will subside.
Shockwave therapy is an excellent treatment option if you are experiencing frequent soreness or pain. Contact Radiant Physiotherapy at 403-457-9090 for a free consultation and to see if shockwave therapy is right for you.
